How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
To explain this conversation it must be mentioned that in the centre of Georgiana's left cheek there was a singular mark, deeply interwoven, as it were, with the texture and substance of her face. (7)
Hawthorne here hints at the ultimate flaw in Aylmer's plan. If the mark on Georgiana's face is deeply interwoven with her countenance, then it will be impossible to remove.
Quote #2
It must not be concealed, however, that the impression wrought by this fairy sign manual varied exceedingly, according to the difference of temperament in the beholders. (7)
It's the original Rorschach test.
Quote #3
The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould, degrading them into kindred with the lowest, and even with the very brutes, like whom their visible frames return to dust. In this manner, selecting it as the symbol of his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death, Aylmer's sombre imagination was not long in rendering the birthmark a frightful object. (8)
In seeing the birthmark as a symbol, Aylmer ought to realize that removing it is impossible – because removing sin or sorrow or death from an individual is impossible. But he seems to miss this point.
Quote #4
It needed but a glance with the peculiar expression that his face often wore to change the roses of her cheek into a deathlike paleness, amid which the crimson hand was brought strongly out, like a bass-relief of ruby on the whitest marble. (9)
Because Aylmer recoils at the mark, it makes Georgiana pale, which makes the mark stand out even more. Aylmer seems in many ways to be his own worst enemy here.
Quote #5
Aylmer now remembered his dream. He had fancied himself with his servant Aminadab, attempting an operation for the removal of the birthmark; but the deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana's heart; whence, however, her husband was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it away. (14)
We've got some major foreshadowing going on here – and yet Aylmer himself misses it! He is so blinded by his obsession that he fails to see the many, many warning signs he passes along the way.
Quote #6
When the dream had shaped itself perfectly in his memory, Aylmer sat in his wife's presence with a guilty feeling. Truth often finds its way to the mind close muffled in robes of sleep, and then speaks with uncompromising directness of matters in regard to which we practice an unconscious self-deception during our waking moments. (15)
The idea of self-deception is certainly an important one here, especially when it comes to Aylmer. We have to think that, on some level, Aylmer knows that attempting to remove his wife's birthmark will cause her death. The only question is whether he knows this consciously or unconsciously. At any rate, he recognizes the severe risk and goes forth with his procedure anyway.
Quote #7
"Yes, master,'' answered Aminadab, looking intently at the lifeless form of Georgiana; and then he muttered to himself, "If she were my wife, I'd never part with that birthmark.'' (28)
Hawthorne has just established that Aminadab is a coarse man who doesn't understand the science behind Aylmer's various experiments. Yet, clearly, he grasps concepts that are beyond the scientist's reach. Perhaps there are truths open to the religious among us that the purely scientific among us miss.
Quote #8
He gave a history of the long dynasty of the alchemists, who spent so many ages in quest of the universal solvent by which the golden principle might be elicited from all things vile and base. Aylmer appeared to believe that, by the plainest scientific logic, it was altogether within the limits of possibility to discover this long-sought medium; "but,'' he added, "a philosopher who should go deep enough to acquire the power would attain too lofty a wisdom to stoop to the exercise of it.'' Not less singular were his opinions in regard to the elixir vitæ. He more than intimated that it was at his option to concoct a liquid that should prolong life for years, perhaps interminably; but that it would produce a discord in Nature which all the world, and chiefly the quaffer of the immortal nostrum, would find cause to curse. (39)
How is it possible that Aylmer is so wise when it comes to these other scientific endeavors, yet totally misses that his own attempts with Georgiana are no different?
Quote #9
He conducted her back and took leave of her with a solemn tenderness which spoke far more than his words how much was now at stake. After his departure Georgiana became rapt in musings. She considered the character of Aylmer, and did it completer justice than at any previous moment. Her heart exulted, while it trembled, at his honorable love — so pure and lofty that it would accept nothing less than perfection nor miserably make itself contented with an earthlier nature than he had dreamed of. (72)
Georgiana is as obsessed with perfecting Aylmer's love for her as Aylmer is with perfecting Georgiana. In this way, she is guilty of the same mistakes as her husband.